The Ibibio National Union (INU), the apex socio-political organisation of the majority Ibibio ethnic nationality in Akwa Ibom State, has withdrawn its support for zoning the governorship seat on the basis of ethnic sentiments.
Akwa Ibom State is often described as an ethnic tripod comprising the Ibibio, Annang and Oro, with agitations over the years for the governorship to rotate among the three ethnic groups as political blocs.
However, the INU said it had reconsidered its position, arguing that the state’s political structure should be viewed through its three senatorial districts rather than ethnic groupings.
The development followed renewed agitation for the creation of an Oro/Obolo State out of Akwa Ibom, with Ibibio leaders expressing concern over what they described as attacks against their ethnic group.
In a communique made available to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday, the INU declared that “Ibibio people will no longer support the zoning of the office of Governor among ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom State.”
The communique, signed by the INU National President, Engr. Emmanuel Akpan, said the decision represented the position of the majority Ibibio ethnic group.
The union also rejected the description of Akwa Ibom as a tripod of Ibibio, Annang and Oro on an equal basis.
“The concept of tripod connotes equality in all material particular; that a pot stands on three legs shows balance. It means each leg is as important as the other, equal in length, breadth, width, density and mass,” the union said.
It argued that Akwa Ibom, like other states in Nigeria, should instead be viewed through its three senatorial districts: Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket.
According to the union, the Ibibio occupy 100 per cent of Uyo Senatorial District, 80 per cent of Eket Senatorial District and 20 per cent of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
The group consequently advised minority groups in the state to seek political accommodation within what it described as an Ibibio-dominated political space.
“Let it be emphasised that no Oro person can become governor of Akwa Ibom State without the say so of the Ibibios—the majority and largest ethnic group in the state,” it said.
Other Ibibio groups, including Mboho Ikot Abasi, led by Mkpisong Chelly Okoko, and Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, also backed the position.
The groups noted that although the governorship has been rotated on the basis of senatorial districts, minorities should not automatically assume that zoning would guarantee them the office.
The Ibibio leaders, including Obong Pius Okon, Ntisong IV and Mkpisong Tony Okpon, Secretary-General, urged Oro people and other minority groups to stop what they described as insults and attempts to undermine the Ibibio people, and instead pursue diplomatic engagement to protect their political interests.
